Mirror Debacle

So with the upcoming Ladies Who Launch LIVE! event coming on October 25, I wanted to come up with something really cool and creative to include in the gift bags that each attendee will receive. After scouring several customizable product catalogs I found these really cool mirrors on 4Imprint.com. My idea was to have the TK Jewelry logo on one side and then this amazing new TK Bridal Jewelry logo my friend Amy designed for me on the other. Great right? Perfect little gift for ladies to throw in their purse – and a constant reminder of my websites.

With Amy’s help we came up with a great design – silver mirrors with white writing. Their site says 5 days to print and ship. The deadline to get the bag stuffers was October 19, so I figured I was golden. I sent through my order … THEN received notice from the company that they actually would need 7 days to print. ACK – what was I thinking waiting til the last minute. Darn!! Oh well … on to the next idea. These cute little purse mirrors, I could just add a sticker to them. I placed my order (and paid extra for shipping) so they would arrive on Friday the 19th and I would have the weekend to sticker 300 of these bad boys. Done ... and done.

More bad news … the mirrors were waylaid since the shipper decided to send them Ground instead of 3 day (which I paid for) and a train mishap delayed them. They wouldn’t arrive til Tuesday. TOO LATE!! So I contacted the company and they apologized and gave me a full refund.

PLAN C … candy. I got cellophane bags and dove chocolates. Every bag had my card in it, 5 dove chocolates (mixture of milk and dark) and was tied with a cute red bow. Whew … the project took about 5 hours … but it was done, at a fraction of the price of the mirrors. And who doesn’t like chocolate.

Now … to get ready for the show!

Etsy workshop

Tonight I attended a workshop at Trillium Artisans in SE Portland. It was led by Ryan from Littleput Books, a very successful seller on Etsy.com. Since we’re on hold with the site til hubby figures out a viable shopping cart option, Etsy is looking like a great option for TK Jewelry right now.

At the workshop Ryan focused a lot on how to be a successful seller on Etsy. She talked about everything from taking dynamic photos to tools for successful marketing (both on etsy and off). There are definitely some amazing photographers and sellers out there, like TQB Designs and Gemmfactix. Ryan herself is a self-proclaimed etsy-a-holic. She spends a lot of time on the site, renewing listings, adding new listings and networking on the forums and through treasury’s and other tools. She has also building a very successful international wholesale business. Her stuff rocks … I’ve purchased a few of her pieces for myself and friends (these two pieces).

The workshop was amazing and it was fun putting faces with names of some of the sellers I see regularly on the PDX Etsy forum and website.

Designs … Designers working together

My friend Amy is an amazing designer. I met her while working in San Francisco. She and her hubby were from St. Louis and recently moved back there – where she started her freelancing career. She helped me design our wedding invitations and has such an amazing eye for style and femininity I knew she would be the perfect person to help me design my TK Bridal logo. When I asked her if she’s be interested in trade (my jewelry for her design services) she jumped on it. Amy also commissioned her bridesmaids jewelry from me when she married her hubby when they were married a few years ago.

Amy designed this beautiful logo and helped me with the designs for the mirrors for the Ladies Who Launch event (which didn’t work out). Next project is some beautiful TK Bridal Jewelry postcards I can promote that line with.

Now … for a copywriter exchange … hmmm … anyone interested in the job?

Shopping cart woes

My hubby is great. He is not only an amazing graphic designer (designed my TK Jewelry logo and “the girl”) he also strives to make the TK Jewelry web site as modern and functional as possible. He’s always looking for new cool ways to make the site more dynamic. Yes – I am totally stealing his lingo – but I sound like I know what I’m talking about right?

Anywho – we had some trouble with VirtueMart (our online shopping cart through Joomla). It seems that VM has been having some trouble for many folks. Which sucks cuz all the inventory and descriptions are in there … hours of work … gotta be tossed.

He looked into a couple other options (Zen Cart is at the top of the list), however given the time constraints of several upcoming shows, I’ve opted to use Etsy.com instead. There’s a lot of built in functionality to Etsy, including options to add up to 4 photos, lots of networking and cross-marketing potential. In addition, their prices are very reasonable.

I have a lot of work ahead of me – taking newer, better, more dynamic photos and writing descriptions. There’s always something!!

A weeks worth of blogging

The daily blogging has been hard ... especially with all the other things going on in my life lately. This week was crazy - all kinds of changes in my day job - and my roller derby team kicked some major butt at our bout last night.

I'm tired ... but I'm determined not to drop the ball on my YOJ project. It's definitely keeping me motivated and thinking about JEWELRY all the time.

We've had some technical issues with the TKJewelry website -- shopping cart issues specifically. But my webdesigner (hubby) is a rockstar and I'm confident he will figure out the issue in the next few days. In addition, this week I went through my bead collection and pulled some stuff that I don't think I'll use - you know, like the clothing rule. If you don't use it for 2 years it's gotta go. I'm excited to donated lots of fun stuff to the craft swap on October 7th here in Portland.

I'm also completing applications for several craft shows this holiday, and gearing up for the Ladies Who Launch LIVE event on October 25. I've been brainstorming some ideas for my "giveaway" item and think I've found the perfect item - compact mirrors printed with TK Jewelry logo on one side and the TK Bridal logo on the other side. I'm super excited.

I think I also found a couple other local ladies to donate to the gift bag ... I'll let you know once they're finalized.

If you are around and available on October 25th ... you should attend this event ... it's going to be amazing and the gift bags alone are worth the cost of attending ... NOT to mention the amazing speakers at the event.

Whew ... it has been a busy week!

Shopping cart ... down

So hubby has been struggling with the Joomla/Virtumart shopping cart on the site ... and we need to figure out a new cart option. He's looking into several options, but in the meantime if you want any jewels -- just email me.

Ack

Monica wedding jewelry re-do #2

Monica asked that I add a little chocolate brown to this branch style necklace and earring set for her wedding jewelry set.

Here's what I came up with ...

they remind me of the fall ... the lovely changing of leaves and crisp chill in the air. YAY!

glad it's Friday!

This week has been ... L O N G ... today was super busy at work ... I'm exhausted. Will think about beading and all things jewelry this weekend ...

still looking for ideas for giveaways ... hubby suggested wine charms ... I really like that idea - but am not sure I can pull off making 300 sets and getting ready to be a vendor at the LIVE event.

ugh - too tired to think about it now.

Monica wedding jewelry re-do #1

My good friend Monica wanted me to add more pearls to this necklace
... so I recreated the necklace adding a 6th strand ... pearls and chocolate brown crystals.

It came out very nicely I think ...

and will go swimmingly with these earrings.

LIVE event coming

So tonite I went to the LWL Ongoing Monthly Meeting ... such fun! such inspiration! I met several ladies who I think I can work with to the mutual benefit of TK Jewelry and their projects ... including an ovarian cancer fundraising website, a jewelry sales website ... and others TBD.

I'm very excited for the LIVE event on October 25th (yea I thought it was the 4th but I have remedied that now!). It's going to be amazing -- 300 positive, talented, amazing women all helping each other and learning how to be successful in their endeavors. I'm very very excited.

Biggest project now ... figure out what my giveaway item will be for the event -- can't be just a card or piece of paper, has to be something tangible. So am inviting ideas ... want to keep the TK Jewelry brand in tact - something that won't cost a fortune or keep me busy between now and the event making ...

Any ideas?

Lists and to-dos

Today I had to go the Dr. (some freaky ear thing) ... while I sat in the waiting room for about an hour to be seen (yes absurd but I was distracted by my tasks) I completed several applications for upcoming Holiday Craft shows ... I always say (in like November) that I'm going to SELL some stuff around the holidays ... but they creep up and I don't ... and I say "next year."

Well ... not this year.

This year I'm applying for several of the lovely craft shows in Portland, including (but not limited to):
Bodacious Babes Bodyfest (November 10th)
America's Largest Christmas Bazaar (tho this one scares me a little because it's 6 days ... DAMN!)
Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale (December 16th)

There are some others ... but I've overwhelmed at the moment.

I'll be a vendor at the Ladies Who Launch LIVE-Portland, OR. It will be an amazing day ... and one I'm confident will create LOTS of movement for me. I have so much to prepare ... ah. I get overwhelmed just thinking about it.

I need to just keep making lists ... those keep me sane ... keep my brain in order. Whew!

Tweaks and Changes to Monica's wedding jewels

So Monica LOVED the pieces I made ... had a couple small changes which I will dive into this coming weekend ...

Overall - feeling very accomplished. Excited to be creating again ... why does life have to get in the way of craft?

feeling a little melancholy today ... it is 9/11 ... and no one is really talking about it. I guess it's faded from our minds ... which is sad because it effects everything in our lives today ... war ... fear ... economy ... all of it.

Photos ... many many photos

Tonite I took and edited several pictures ... shots of my girlfriend Monica's wedding party jewelry and some others that needed to be edited.

Check 'em out here.

Projects for this week ... find all the holiday sales in PDX and make a REAL list of to-dos ...

whew!

Wonderland ...

This morning I hit Doug Fir for Brunch with my friend Jena ... then we headed downstairs to the ballroom for Crafty Wonderland. If you've never been ... you SHOULD check it out. All handmade creations by local Portland designers - everything from clothing to jewelry to buttons to barrettes to hats ... oh the yumminess!

Two of my favorite ladies were there. Rachel the "Button Girl" and Pearly Grey - creator of the rad-est baby accessories. We shopped and noshed ... good times.

Then I came home and made this pretty piece for Monica's wedding!

Damn ... is it Sunday night already?

poo

Creation Saturday

Today I was super creative, cranking out pretty stuff for my friend Monica's upcoming Nuptials. She's such a sweetheart - ordered stuff for all the ladies who have been integral in putting together her special day ... I am honored that she wanted me to design custom pieces for her friends. What a great lady.

I'll take some pics and post tomorrow.

back to beading!

Accomplishments ... Friday 9/7/07

I thought that maybe by listing my accomplishments at the end of each week ... it would help me see the movement I'm making.

So ... let's start with ... things I made this week.
Here's some fun new bridal pieces ...


These pieces were inspired by some designs I put together for my friend Liz's bridesmaids. I am working on a "bridal" portfolio that I can take to local shops and market my designs. I'm also working with my friend Amy on a TK Bridal logo and postcard/collateral piece. Goal is to have this all ready to go by end of September -- so I can get into shops before the big Spring Bridal season.

In addition -- my friend Thea wanted a new necklace ... something with a fun chunky cross on it. I had a heck of a time finding a cross (weird) and when I did they just weren't right. However -- back in July when I was at Beadissimo teaching I found this really beautiful purple and brown shell cross ... PERFECT! I've also had this vintage Vermeil chain around that I've been DYING to use. It's heavy gauge and amazing ... and worked wonderfully with this cross. I added in some purple and golden brown glass beads ... but something was missing. So I added a strand of mixed golden and purple glass beads and crystals ... MUCH better. Anywho, here's the final piece.
She loved it.

Other accomplishments this week include
- working with hubby to design new business cards and order them (TK JEWELRY!)
- researching options for packaging TK Jewelry/Bridal including silver foil seals and black shiny boxes
- finishing up bridesmaid jewelry for my friend Liz's wedding. Now just have to figure out the packaging
- finishing necklace for Thea

Next week I'm excited to tackle my friend Monica's wedding jewelry order. Some stuff that's already created -- as well as making some new stuff. Also -- continuing to build my bridal collection.

More tomorrow.
Tabitha

Wedding jewelry ... a short history

So today I made a list of all the ladies I've made wedding jewelry for ... and I have to say I kind of surprised myself. Starting in 2003 I was asked to do jewelry by a girlfriend who was a bridesmaid in a wedding ... then there were two weddings that I was actually in as a bridesmaid ... then referrals from friends ... my own wedding ... and more referrals and friends.

It's amazing ... 14 weddings in 5 years ... that's pretty good for not even trying.

Now imagine what will happen when I DO promote!

YIPPEE!!

Hump ... day

I often wonder if when a week is shorter (say from a Monday holiday) if Wednesdays are actually harder to handle than in a normal (M-F) week. Today dragged on ... perhaps it's because I have so much going on and am feeling very overwhelmed by life in general ... this post is a digression from jewelry ... but this is where I'm at today.

Having hurt my knee in Derby about 6 weeks ago -- I found out on Friday that it'll be another 3 months or so before I can be on skates without serious risk of royally f'ing up my knee for good if I fall. This was a hard hard thing for me to hear ... cuz I really like derby.

Tonite I told my captains and some of my teammates about my prognosis ... and everyone was extremely supportive of my decision to take a break from derby ... and very saddened ... it was strangely invigorating. I am definitely part of a TEAM ... for the first time in my life I feel very much part of something ... the good and the bad.

But I've decided to take a step back. Since we moved here I've kind of put jewelry (and life) on the backburner ... and this injury may be just the wake up call I needed to realize that I need to get back into it.

I LOVE making jewelry ... the creation of it ... the look on a lady's face when she sees it ... and the gloriousness of seeing her in my creation ... all those reasons are the reasons I love making jewelry. It gives me a sense of giving and creating that nothing else in this world provides.

As hard as it is to write everyday about this and the journey ... but it's keeping me on track and accountable ... and that can't be a bad thing.

Back in the swing

Well ... vacation weekend has worn off. Back to the grind.

I decided tonight to add a piece that's currently in my Christine collection to my new Bridal collection. It's a bold piece with a lovely Lucite centerpiece and crystal quartz accents. Not for the faint of heart ...


I've been thinking about accenting this with Swarovski crystals ... and perhaps creating a more chunky and bold piece ... with several strands ... not sure where that will go .. but it will.

Weekend ... Mondays

So this weekend, hubby and I headed for the beach. We stayed at a wonderful B&B called "Ona Beach Bed and Breakfast." It was lovely and I definitely recommend it. The proprietors were an older couple who (from what I could gather) had taken the leap and followed their dream. They had a B&B in California and now live happily overlooking the ocean ... a different group of people welcomed into their home every weekend.

They were so happy and at peace with their life.

That's what I want. I pursue my dreams. I be happy and content ...

As we walked the streets in Nye Beach and Newport I looked at all of the people that live in this idyllic beach town ... so many of them small shop owners. Something truly at peace and happy in each of them. I know that I said this blog would be about jewelry ... for a year ... and I'm digressing to more of "life" ... but this weekend since I wasn't really making jewelry ... seems an appropriate topic to address.

I want their life ... a life where you do what you love and make enough to be happy ... not necessarily extravagantly.

We had such a great time there ... and at the beach in general. I know that vacation happiness doesn't count as real life happiness, but it's a glimpse.

I hope that my next steps take me in that direction ...

A leap ... of ... ?

So yesterday ... I decided I need to take a leap. My friend Jena and I had a nice evening of beer and snacks and talked a lot about ... life. With the news at the Dr. yesterday about my knee ... I've made some decisions. I won't go into details here because I don't know who is reading this and I don't want to spill any beans ...

Let's just say ... that I'm feeling like my "old" self ... the one who lived her life as if there was no tomorrow ... everyday should be enjoyed ... to not make any decisions that would cause me to one day look back and say "I wish I had ... or hadn't ... "

So ... hopefully in the next few weeks things in my life will be changing and turning ...

Who knows ...